How Much Does it Cost?
Unfortunately, at the time of writing, I couldn’t find stock of the XPG Starker AIR BTF case. However, we know it comes with an MSRP of $119.90, and given how exchange rates work, that’s likely just £120 here in the UK too. That’s an OK price, not a bargain, but given the four fans and RGB controller, and overall hardware support, I think it’s pretty reasonable. Hopefully it’ll be back in stock any day now.
Overview
The XPG Starker AIR BTF offers excellent airflow thanks to its mesh front panel and quality fans, and it supports both BTF and traditional motherboards. With its stylish and unique front panel design and its integrated RGB, four pre-installed ARGB fans and a built-in controller, it really does stand out and is rather vibrant. The case obviously provides good cable management options and good connectivity, with the inclusion of USB 3.2 ports, including a USB Type-C on the front. However, the removable SSD tray placement conflicts with the side panel fan mounts when they could have been put behind the motherboard, and the RGB control button on the front panel is small and can be a little tricky to press, but these are hardly deal breakers. I’m not sure why the PSU has a removable rear bracket mount either, as I installed my PSU from the right side of the case just fine. Again, not an actual issue, just seemed a bit strange.
Build Quality
The XPG Starker AIR BTF feels well-constructed for its price point. The metal panels are thick and sturdy, and the tempered glass side panel is thick, with a removable side plate on the PSU shroud, which is a nice touch. I’m really impressed with the front panel design too, as there’s built-in dust filtering throughout, and integrated RGB lighting.
BTF and Traditional Cable Management
The case excels in offering options for both BTF and traditional cable management. The rear cutouts cater specifically to BTF motherboards, while the well-placed grommets and cutouts ensure clean routing for standard setups. Best of all, there is the vertical passthrough for the GPU power cables, something that’s still often missing on a lot of PC cases.
Hardware Support
The case offers excellent hardware support, accommodating large graphics cards and various cooling configurations, including up to a 360mm radiator in the front (size of GPU permitting) or top. The adjustable fan mount on the rear adds further flexibility, and actually came in handy as I had to move it down half an inch to install the 360mm AIO. The inclusion of a removable drive cage is a welcome touch too, as many cases have all but dismissed 3.5″ drive support these days, and I’m sure some of you still require them.
ARGB Lighting and Fans
The four included XPG VENTO ARGB fans are a highlight, providing strong airflow and vibrant lighting effects. They all come pre-wired to a controller and the inclusion of a dedicated RGB control button on the front panel makes managing the lighting simple and accessible, and doesn’t require any software on your desktop, which is another welcome bonus.
Should I Buy One?
While the BTF support is welcome, the case feels a little stuck between the old and new take on cable routing, with no grommets on the old, and too many holes on show if you use BTF. It’s E-ATX motherboard support likely wasn’t needed either, and I’d rather they opened up that side ventilation and moved the SSD mounts. However, if you want a mid-tower case with excellent airflow, a striking design, and impressive out-of-the-box cooling with ARGB fans, then the XPG Starker AIR BTF is definitely hitting the mark there, but I do feel it’s trying to do a bit more than it needs to, but hey, if you’re planning on keeping your options open to change motherboard or storage configurations, at least it has some solutions built-in.
